The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal. illustrated by Virginia Reyes of the Air Force News Agency. This image is 4x6 inches @ 200 ppi. The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created on July 6, 1960 by an act of the United States Congress. It was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel. The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to any member of the United States Air Force who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the United States Government in a duty of great responsibility. The medal is typically awarded to senior Air Force generals.

The Air Force Cross

The Air Force Cross. Illustration by Virginia Reyes of the Air Force News Agency. Image is 4x6 inches @ 200 ppi. The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism, which does not justify award of the Medal of Honor. The Air Force Cross was established by Congress on July 6, 1960 as a replacement for the Distinguished Service Cross when the award was made by Air Force Authority. The First Air Force Cross was awarded posthumously in 1962

Aerial Achievement Medal

Aerial Achievement Medal. Illustrated by Virginia Reyes of the Air Force News Agency. This image is 4x8 inches @ 200 ppi. The Aerial Achievement Medal was established on Feb. 3, 1988, and is awarded by the Department of the Air Force to U.S. military and civilian personnel for sustained meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. The achievements must be accomplished with distinction above and beyond that normally expected of professional airmen.

Bronze Star

Bronze Star. Illustrated by Virginia Reyes of the Air Force News Agency. This image is 4x8 inches @ 200 ppi. Bronze Star Medal was authorized by Executive Order 9419 dated Feb. 4, 1944, retroactive to Dec. 7, 1941. and later amended on Aug. 24, 1962, to expand the authorization to include those serving with friendly forces. It is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after Dec. 6, 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

Air Medal

Air Medal. Illustrated by Virginia Reyes of the Air Force News Agency. This image is 4x8 inches @ 200 ppi. The Air Medal was authorized on May 11, 1942, and established the award for "any person who, while serving in any capacity in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard of the United States subsequent to Sept. 8, 1939, distinguishes, or has distinguished, himself by meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight." The Air Medal was amended on Sept. 11, 1942 to read "in any capacity in or with the Army".

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Joint Service Commendation Medal. Illustrated by Virginia Reyes of the Air Force News Agency. This image is 4x8 inches @ 200 ppi. The Joint Service Commendation Medal was established on June 25, 1963 and is awarded only to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after January 1, 1963, distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service while assigned to a Joint Service organization.